Impa Kasanganay’s incredible MMA story continues at PFL 10 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Friday.
The 30-year-old will compete in the PFL‘s light-heavyweight tournament final against Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for the chance to become a two-time world champion and win another $1 million prize.
This time last year, Kasanganay beat Joshua Silveira by decision to complete his remarkable recovery from the famous spinning back kick knockout loss he suffered against Joaquin Buckley during his disastrous UFC run.
Another defeat ended his stint in MMA’s premier promotion and put Kasanganay on a downward spiral, that resulted in him becoming homeless before finding his feet again in the PFL.
Imap Kasangnay pursued MMA glory while living in his car
Impa Kasanganay struggled to remain active after being released by the UFC in 2021.
‘Tshilobo’ worked several jobs to make ends meet. Unfortunately, money became so tight that he faced the prospect of moving back in with his parents in North Carolina.
Determined to remain close to the renowned MMA gym Kill Cliff FC in Florida, Kasanganay decided to live in his car, which he parked outside Henri Hooft’s facility every night, for six months.
“It’s funny how I look back a year ago, I’m like, ‘Life’s a bit different’,” he told The Sun in November 2023. “Every time I walk past that parking spot, I’m like, ‘Man, now I’m going home, I’ve got a house with a garage.’
“I didn’t complain, I didn’t tell anybody. I’m pretty sure my teammates would have let me in, but I was like, ‘No, you got yourself in this situation, you’ve got to get yourself out of it.’
“One day Henri was in the gym, and he was like, ‘Hey, are you sleeping in your car? Because security said the car is here a lot and it could be one of the fighters.’
“Funnily enough, as challenging as sleeping in a car was, it was a peaceful time, too…
“I’d wake up in the morning, 6am I’d be in the gym, practice at 10am, I’d hit the bag for a couple of hours, I’d shower. I’d work on technique and visualize like one day I’m going to be champion.”
Impa Kasanganay isn’t done yet
After pulling himself out of a tough situation and becoming a millionaire, Impa Kasanganay could be forgiven for thinking that he’s made it – but he’s set a new goal of becoming ‘the best to ever do it’.
Kasanganay is 9-1 in his last 10 fights, with the only loss coming via a contentious split decision in a champion vs champion fight with Bellator middleweight king Johnny Eblen last year.
A rematch with Eblen remains at the forefront of his mind, but the main aim is to step up to heavyweight to take on Francis Ngannou in what would be another money-spinning matchup.
“100 percent, Francis Ngannou. I want Francis Ngannou and Johnny Eblen, and that’s it,“ Kasanganay told Sports Illustrated ahead of PFL 10.
“Whether it’s fight Francis or Johnny at the beginning of the year, and then after that then you fast forward, they say ‘You have to wait,’ or whatever. ‘He has to do his boxing matches,’ I take him out. I’ll go up.
“I want the challenge where they’re at. When you’re hunting – which is what I see it as – you’re hunting in the Arctic, you bring the proper gear…I don’t want Johnny to come up to 205, I want to meet him at 185 in the division where they say he won the fight. I want Francis Ngannou at heavyweight, I don’t want him to suck any weight.
“I want to take them out where they’re at, ‘cause that’s where the challenge is.”